Photography – synergy at work

In her practice and in teaching the art of image making, Kelly-Ann aims to provide the fundamentals of photography with an emphasis on personal and interpersonal development within a group environment. She has taught and developed photography and art courses for 12 years, primarily at The Australian Centre for Photography, but also Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney.

Kelly-Ann, who believes the study of art and photography within the work place builds self-confidence and enhances motivation, has developed her Synergy Program based on the The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey.

“Photography is an integral part of all of our lives. It can be used in the workplace to build a creative environment where we learn together and have the opportunity to develop individual forms of self-expression increasing self-awareness and creating bonding opportunities. The program is about driving and discovering synergy.

“Initially, participants work individually on a photographic project, then work together to realise a visual representation of the characteristics of the organisation with which they work. In a safe creative group atmosphere the synergies are then developed to complete the final pieces.”

The images supplied here are an example of what “synergising” can achieve. The artworks were created for an Australian company with a Japanese partner. The individual photographs have been turned into illustrations using Photoshop. Japanese text was then painted onto the artworks so that when the dignitaries from the Japanese company came to Sydney and sat in the boardroom they were able to read in their own language the text (see English translations, below.)

The pieces illustrate that although the language and the culture may be very different on many levels the inherent nature of the two countries has many similarities – synergies - when viewed from the perspective of art, landscape and cultural values.

The Japanese text on the prints reads:

“Gratitude for the structures that celebrate our unique artistic accomplishment”

Image of Australian and Japanese Opera Houses.

“A grand honour for the landscapes and forces that define our culture”